The Hospitality as always was excellent including Sensei Larry’s Cordon Blue BBQ dinner on the Saturday Evening thanks to the support and hard work of Sempai Kathy and the Armstrong Dojo. Thank You to each and everyone.

The Training, as you would expect was well organized with a clear set agenda over the 3 days and 5 Very Hard Working Sessions -

through transition of stance and movement in demonstration and instruction.

“That Again,.. Boring Kihon” you may say ! Not so much.

The training was very interesting and extremely demanding both physically and mentally as anyone at the camp will attest.

Shihan Stuart stressed and re stressed the critical importance of ‘Correct’ kihon which is the foundation of our karate, without which as students or the ability to perform correctly and demonstrate as instructors we cannot move forward.

Over the duration of the camp the instruction covered initial Kihon, Kihon Combinations, then Ido Geiko covering Kaitan, Segari with intense focus on correct kihon application on every single technique through transition in stance. Ippon then Sanbon Kumite up to Kihon Kumite, in step by step advancement covering balance and movement.

In each step Shihan Stuart re iterated the critical importance of correct Kihon fundamentals as the foundation on which any combination of techniques or movement can be effectively executed. Without the first step performed correctly the second is not correct and so the collective result is ineffective karate.

As instructors if we do not practice or demonstrate correct kihon then we do not teach correct kihon thus do not teach effective karate.

Shihan Terry instructed a class and gave valuable insight as well as lessons on his recent experience 5th Dan grading in Japan.

This instruction focused to the smallest detail on correct kihon in every movement.

Shihan Terry then covered the importance of correct technique through transition of stance, further detailing posture, balance and the critical focus on ‘ full range of motion’ in application of technique in circle and point principle.

Demonstrating such the Ido Geiko training picked up tempo with point of power and stress with intent.

Over and Over again with ever critique in the ear from Sensei Brad and corrective demonstrations from Sensei Dean.

Without a level of fitness and strength to attempt to perform such exercises

would make this impossible.

It seems that Honbu in Japan in understanding its obligation to have consistency Globally in correct kihon/ fundamentals and foundation of Kyokushin karate in all their instructors World Wide, focus critically in fine detail to correct technique in their new grading courses.

This of course has to cascade down to the level on which we would be graded.

An excellent camp with clear indication on direction.

So, for me, Lots of work to do -

Back to Kihon or should I say `Forward to Kihon` and the fitness level to perform it correctly.

OSU

Neil Rowley

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